Who We Are

Dane Erickson,Managing DirectorAs Managing Director based in Washington D.C., Dane leads the organization with frequent travel to DRC. He is an entrepreneur and Africa-focused scholar with more than 15 years of leadership experience; Dane's career has been split between developing innovative programs on the ground and working in high level policy circles. Most recently, he was managing Moba International, a strategy consulting firm focused on Africa, and teaching at the University of Colorado. Previous stints include serving as a foreign policy advisor on Obama's presidential campaign, a strategic advisor at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and a visiting scholar at Beijing University's Africa Studies Center. Dane also previously lived and worked in eastern DRC from 2005-2007 as the Regional Director of Programs for Food for the Hungry International, building and managing a program of 125 personnel and a $10 million annual budget. Dane holds a BA in Political Sciences from Davidson College, and an MA in International Relations from Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School. He has lived in 6 countries, with experience in another 60 countries on 5 continents.

Baraka Kasali, Acting Country DirectorBaraka was born in Beni, DRC, but grew up in Nairobi and Chicago. A Program Officer at ECI since October 2012, Baraka leads ECI’s cocoa revitalization program. Baraka worked in marketing in Chicago for four years before returning to Congo where he spent three years teaching English at a university in North Kivu. He also supported the development of student-led initiatives, including the development of student government. Baraka studied at Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL, and speaks English, French, and Swahili.

Aline Mihigo, Coffee Field OfficerAn experienced agronomist based in Bukavu, Aline works to support the development of ECI’s coffee program in South Kivu, Kawa Bora ya Kivu. Aline studied agronomy at the Universite Evangelique en Afrique (UEA) in Bukavu, and speaks fluent French, Swahili, and Lingala. She joined ECI in April 2013.

Alphonsine Mbela, Finance & Administration ManagerAlphonsine joined ECI in January 2013 and oversees the financial operations. Alphonsine has a wealth of experience in accounting and has previously worked for World Vision DRC, World Vision Zimbabwe, and UNHCR. She has one degree in Economics and one in Human Resources Management from the Universite Ouverte du Nord Kivu. Alphonsine was born and grew up in Goma. She speaks English, French, Swahili, and Lingala.

Caro Brown, Finance and Administrative DirectorCaro brings a Bachelor in Business and Administration, a Master of Science in Forensic Accounting, and more than a decade of experience in for-profit, not-for-profit, and public accounting. Prior to joining ECI in October 2015, Caro worked for the French group Bollore Africa Logistics as an Assistant Controller, and the Maryland Based Audit firm AUDIREX LLC as a senior consultant. Caro is currently working on the final part of her Certified Managerial Accountant program. She was born in Douala, Cameroon and speaks English and French.

Freddy Bingane, Senior Accountant Freddy Bingane brings years of experience in finance and accounting to ECI’s finance department. Before joining ECI in December 2014, Freddy worked as a finance officer for Save the Children International in the Oriental province. Freddy holds a degree in Management and Accounting from the University of CEPROMAD in Bunia, DRC.

Gerry Kahashy, Multimedia AssistantGerry was born and raised in Goma, DRC. Prior to joining ECI in October 2015, Gerry worked as a radio technician and producer at the Mutaani Project in Goma, as well as a cameraman and video editor at Big Ideas Entertainment in Kenya. Gerry speaks English, French, and Swahili.

Kristine Bergstrom, Advocacy and Communications ManagerKristine is charged with telling the success stories of ECI’s partners in addition to integrating the voices of DRC civil society into ECI’s advocacy messages. Kristine holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science and International Politics from Pantheon Sorbonne – University of Paris 1. Prior to joining ECI in September 2015, Kristine worked as the Deputy Editor of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She speaks English, French, and Swedish.

Luc Ndyanabo, Capacity-Building and Grantee CoordinatorLuc joined ECI in November 2010. He is responsible for arranging all field visits, security and procurement out of ECI’s Goma office. Luc studied Economics and Management at the University of CEPROMAD. Luc was born and raised in Goma, and speaks English, French, and Swahili.

Maryline Mwenge, Finance AssistantMaryline has over a decade’s experience in financial administration of local and international non-governmental organizations in eastern Congo, including current ECI partner HEAL Africa. She joined ECI in 2012 and supports our Finance Manager in overseeing the financial administration of ECI’s programs. Maryline grew up in Goma and studied Business Management & Administration at Universite Libre des Pays des Grands Lacs. Maryline speaks French and Swahili.